Hasbro aims to jazz up Monopoly with new token

NEW YORK (AP) - The gig is almost up for one of the eight Monopoly tokens. But which will it be? Iron? Thimble? Top Hat? Or another of their board game buddies?

Hasbro is holding a Facebook contest to eliminate one of the eight tokens that identify the players and introduce a new one. Possible new tokens include a cat, diamond ring, guitar, toy robot and helicopter. It's the latest effort by the toymaker to jazz up the game that debuted almost eight decades ago.

In recent years, Hasbro introduced a version that replaces paper money with an electronic bank and another that incorporates an iPad. There is an app-only version of the game for smartphones and tablets.

Monopoly's tokens have actually changed quite a lot over the years. The original version also included a lantern, purse, cannon and a rocking horse. A horse and rider token was used in the 1950s. During World War II, metal tokens were replaced by wooden ones.

But this time, users have a say.

So if you are tired of the iron token and would rather be represented by a robot, here's your chance to make those wishes known. Beginning on Tuesday, Facebook fans of monopoly can vote on which piece to eliminate and which one to add. The voting ends on Feb 5.

Up for elimination: All eight current tokens, including a battleship, iron, racecar, Scottie dog, shoe, thimble, top hat and wheelbarrow. Most tokens were introduced with the first Parker Brothers iteration of the game in 1935, and the Scottie dog and wheelbarrow were added in the early 1950s.

Mr Eric Nyman, global brand leader for Hasbro gaming, said the impetus for the contest came from chatter on Facebook, where Monopoly has over 10 million fans.

"We're constantly interacting with those fans and we're always getting suggestions from fans about what tokens they would love to see," Mr Nyman said. They took five of the top suggestions from Facebook for the contest.

A special US$17.99 (S$22.10) limited edition of the game called Golden Ticket will be available in Target stores beginning Feb 15, with golden versions of both the old and new tokens. It will be the last time all of the classic tokens will be available with the game.

Versions of Monopoly with the new token will come out later this year.

Monopoly's iconic tokens originated when game creator Charles Darrow's niece suggested using charms from a charm bracelet for tokens.

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